Quote Originally Posted by RideRed12 View Post

This quote concerns me, not to be over-dramatic but I'm the opposite. My snakes are just like members of my family. I take care of them, I feed them, I spend time with them and I care about them. If you don't love your animals, then it must be about the money. To me, I would rather see my house burn down than my pets.

There not just "some snakes". I think most people on here would agree.
“over some snakes” was referring to quantity not quality or my feelings towards my snakes. Of course I love my reptiles, I have been passionate about them ever since I have been keeping them since I was 4 years old, but there is no question I would choose the safety of my family and property over snakes. By that I mean I would not purchase anymore snakes if there is even a chance that it could be hazardous.

I don't want this to be a thread that goes back and forth and strays from the original question, but you concluding that because I would choose my livelihood and family safety over my snakes means that I don't care for them or am "just in it for the money" is completely ridiculous. I shouldn't have to explain myself, but I will. I am a college student who lives at home during the summer months. It is not "my" house that is at risk, its my parents. It seems a bit selfish to put them at risk for something that I am doing, doesn't it? After I graduate and have my own home, of course I would be willing to take the risk because I enjoy the hobby that much. Notice the word "hobby" and not "business"? If, in the future, I am able to sell some of my snakes then that would be great, but I am fully prepared to take care of all the hatchlings. I am by no means in it for the money. I am in it because I am so passionate about reptiles and the amazing processes of seeing life created. I understand how my post might have rubbed you the wrong way and that was not the intent, but I take complete offense in being labeled as someone who doesn't love his reptiles and just uses them to make money.

Maybe you have not had tragedies in your life, but in the past month I have witnessed both a brush fire that nearly destroying my parents home that I franticly had to help put out while the fire department was called and also had a family member who recently was killed. Those things left me with a lot of anxieties about being safe, so I want to take every precaution that I can. Hopefully I did not offend you again with this post, but I believe I have the right to explain my situation.